Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Background: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a right that should be guaranteed to every
woman worldwide in order to have a healthy and safe sex life. In most Arab countries, including
Egypt, there are different cultural, political, and religious factors that have contributed
significantly to the manner that the society views and treats women’s bodies and sexuality. As
a result, it is difficult to provide solid data and information to guide policymakers, policies, and
to implement awareness and preventive programs. This thesis sought to address this gap by
conducting a study looking at the intersectionality of women’s access to sexual and
reproductive health services and information in Ismailia, Egypt.
Methods: The relevant information was collected using qualitative methods. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with twelve married women and two key informant interviews with
health professionals in the study area.
Results: Intersectional theory was used to critically examine the various interacting factors
such as gender, patriarchy, economic disadvantages, and other discriminatory systems that that
can undermine women’s access to SRH information and services. The study revealed that
married women suffer from the lack of access to proper SRH services and information.
Conclusion: Married women’s experiences of accessing SRH services and information were
affected by different intersecting factors. These factors are socio-economic, policy, cultural
norms, power structure contexts, and privilege structures, and religious institutions.
Recommendations were drafted to add more information and evidence related to Egyptian
women and their SRH rights.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/7435 |
| Date | January 2020 |
| Creators | Elsayed, Reem |
| Contributors | Dinbabo, Mulugeta |
| Publisher | University of Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | University of Western Cape |
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